Iris type valve



Nov. 29, 1966 M. E. GINAVEN 3,288,056

IRIS TYPE VALVE Filed April 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 & l

IN VENTOR.

Nov. 29, 1966 M. E. GINAVEN 3,238,055

IRIS TYPE VALVE Filed April 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ohio Filed Apr. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 445,536 9 Claims. (Cl. 100-98) This invention relates to improvements in press units such as used for pulp refining and liquid extraction and, more particularly, to a control valve rendering them more eflicient and satisfactory in use. It will be described in reference to specific embodiments and applications. However, this is not intended as limiting nor should it be so construed. Other forms of embodiment and application of the invention should be readily apparent to those versed in the art.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a control valve for use in a press which is economical to fabricate, most efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction or cause malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for improving the working characteristics of a pulp refining or liquid extraction type press.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for controlling the discharge opening from a press in accordance with the character. and form of the material being worked and the desired end product.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a control valve for the discharge from a press which is capable of producing a selectively localized source of variable back pressure on the materials in the press.

Another object of the invention is to provide discharge control means for a press enabling the press to function at optimal efliciency while working at either full or fractional capacity.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control valve for use in a refining or extraction type press which renders such units more versatile as to their use and application.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a control device for use in combination with a refiner or extraction type press adapted to produce an irregularly formed flow passage for the material discharged and to optionally serve as a variable extrusion'die.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control valve for a refining or extraction type press possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of use herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view tion intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of' the features of construction, the parts and the combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein are shown some but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention, 7

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the discharge end of a press which incorporates a control valve as provided by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows another application of the invention in a fragmentary sectional view of the discharge end of an extraction type press; and

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

3,288,056 Patented Nov. 29, 1966 "Ice FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings illustrate the discharge end of a pulp refining type press. This press includes a shell-like, longitudinally extended housing having a discharge opening 11 at one end. Rotatably mounted within and coextensive with the housing 10 is a drive shaft 12. One end of the shaft 12 projects through the opening 11 to terminate interiorly of an elbow section 13. The latter receives and transmits the material the inner wall of the housing define a flow path 14. The

' as will more fully appear in the specification, the invenpressing and twisting elements work the pulp material delivered to the housing and in process thereof advance the material to eventually discharge by way of the opening 11 to the elbow 13.

The opening 11 is framed by a discharge ring 15 a 1 portion of which lies interiorly of the housing and the remainder of which projects through an opening in a housing end plate 16. The inner surface of the portion of ring 15 which positions inwardly of the housing 10 has a generally uniform cylindrical contour. However, the remainder of the inner surface of the ring 15 within and projecting outwardly of the end plate 16 has a conically expanded form to facilitate flow to and from the opening 11.

In the example illustrated, the end portion of the ring 15 which projects outwardly of the housing 10 has six circularly and equidistantly spaced notches 17 the base portions of which are generally co-planar with the outermost face of the end plate 16. Nesting in each of these notches, in bearing abutment with the outermost face of the adjacent end plate, is a radially disposed valve blade 18. The blades 18 have a generally rectangular configuration and mutually define a control valve of which each constitutes a segment.

The valve blades 18 are identical plates and each includes, in an outermost portion, a radially oriented slot 19. The blades 18 are each respectively and adjustably fixed to the housing 10 by a socket head cap screw 20 which projects through its slot 19 to threadedly engage in the end plate 16. A flat annular washer 21 is interposed between each screw head and its associated valve blade to bridge the blade slot and provide a seat for the screw head. As will be obvious, on selective adjustment of the screws 20 in a conventional manner the valve blades 13 may be independently released from a fixed relation to the end plate 16 and adjusted in a sense radially of the opening 11. It will be obvious that the limits of adjustment of the respective and independent valve blades 18 are prescribed by the radial extent of their respective slots 19.

The valve blades 18 are mutually confined to maintain a generally co-planar, face abutting relation to the outermost surface of the end plate 16 by an external flange 22 at the base end of the discharge elbow 13. In containing the valve blaxies flange 22 has a form, position and a dimension the effect of which is to produce an overlap thereby of a portion of the ring 15 as well as a portion of the end plate 16. The flange is secured to the housing end plate at points intermediate the blades 18.

The portion of the drive shaft 12 within the ring 15 mounts a collar 23 positioning intermediately of the valve segments 18. The extremity of the drive shaft which terminates in the elbow 13 is threadedly engaged by a nut 24. Through the medium of its engagement to the collar 23 the nut 24 serves to contain the aforementioned pressing and twisting elements in a predetermined fixed relation to the shaft 12.

Fixed to the radially outermost portion of each of the valve blades is an operator arm 25 which projects in a sense outwardly from the housing 10. Observin i) of the drawings, it may :also be seen that the inner extremities of the valve blades each have a moderately arcuate surface portion 26 complementary to the centrally positioned collar 23. t

In use of the embodiment of the invention as just described, by loosening a particular cap screw, one may release a selected valve segment for independent radial adjustment through the medium of its operator arm 25 in a manner believed obvious. Thus, the segments of the valve unit can be variably positioned and they are independently and relatively adjust-able. By means of this valve structure one may simply achieve a valve opening of either uniform or irregular configuration and one which a particular circumstance may prescribe as most advantageous for the working of the particular material being passed through a press. The invention thus provides a highly sensitive control the use of which can only result in an optimal press efiiciency.

Accordingly, in the example illustrated, the invention provides an iris-type valve unit for-controlling the working of materials in a press and regulating their discharge therefrom. As seen, each of the valve segments may have an independently set position. As observed in full lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings, all six valve blades can be adjusted to have their innermost extremities position immediately about the collar 23. The effect of this disposition is to produce six identical openings from the press each of which has a generally triangular character. It will be obvious that one or more of the valve blades may be brought from this fully inwardly extended position to an outwardly extended position and any position intermediately thereof. i i

The advantage of independent and relative adjustment of the blades constituting the valve segments is that one may achieve a localized obstruction and a readily variable degree of back pressure in a press proper without the need for a uniform thinning of the material issuing from the press in a cake form.

The principal concern which the invention obviates is that a uniform reduction of a discharge opening may cause excessive heating, objectionable compaction and like results which have an adverse effect on the resultant products. The versatility of the described valve as provided by the invention enables a sensitivity of application of back pressure to produce a particularly desired character and quality of end product. use of a mere diameter restricting valve. By means of the invention one may also have a particularly formed opening which produces an optimal back pressure for optimal working of material in a press yet without undesirable side effects which are inherent in Working some materials when one uniformly thins its cake form as it issues from the press. The advantages of the invention are particularly significant when the materials worked in a press are such as fibrous pulps for paper, plastics, cellulose chemicals, chemicals separable by different melting points, oil seeds, agricultural fibers and the like. A featured characteristic of the use of the invention is that it improves the liquid expression in a press operation and it enables the means for so doing to per se selectively function as an extrusion die where it is advantageous to issue material in various shape and form. V

In this last respect, attention is drawn to the embodia ment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Shown therein is a slotted press cage containing a drive shaft 12' mounting pressing and squeez Such is not achievable in to and through the opening 11'.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the portion of the shaft 12' which projects through the opening 11' fixedly mounts a sleeve 30. An enlarged end 31 of the sleeve 30, which positions within the terminal portion of the cage 10 and the ring 15', has a frusto-conical form, expanding in a direction outwardly of the cage. The sleeve portion 31 provides a gradual restriction of the opening 11' which serves as a discharge passage for materials issuing from the press cage.

The portion 32 of the sleeve 30 which projects interiorly of a discharge housing 13' mounts in longitudinally spaced relation thereon sets of cutter blades 33 and 34. The blades 33 are three in number and mutually position in a plane adjacent and spaced beyond the housing end plate 16. The radial extent of the blades 33 is slightly less than that of the discharge ring 15'. In contrast the radial extent of the blades 34, six in number and in a common nal flange 36 providing a surface abutting end plate 16" and defining a passage for material to enter the discharge housing from the opening through ring 15' which is of the same dimension as the opening 11'. the housing has six equidistant and circularly spaced radial notches 37 each of which slidably receives a valve blade I 18' of the nature referred to in reference to the first described embodiment. slots 19' and are similarly secured by screws 20 to provide for their radial adjustment referenced to the housing.

end plate 16. In this case, since the projected extremity of the ring 15' and the outer surface of the end plate 16" are co-planar, the valve segments are confined to bear thereon for radial adjustment in a plane adjacent thereto. Of course, the end cap providing discharge housing 13'. is suitably secured to the end plate 16' at positions circularly displaced from the valve blades.

The blades 18' which form segments of the valve unit in this embodiment of the invention are adapted to project inwardly to shaft 12' in selectively bridging relation to the restricted flow passage from the press cage defined by the radially extended sleeve portion 31. It may be seen in the drawings that the blades 18' position in a plane intermediate thejprojection 31 and the set of cutter blades 33 l and parallel thereto. Blades 33 position in adjacent spaced relation to blades 18' and within the internal flange,"

36 of the discharge housing 13'. Fixed to the innermost surface of the flange 36 are three fixed cutter blades 38 i which project radially inward toward sleeve 30 in a plane intermediate and parallel to the sets of blades 33 and 34. The inner extremities of the fixed blades 38 terminate immediately adjacent to and remain clearl of the sleeve 30.

It may be readily seen that the segments 18' of the.

valve unit as provided in this embodiment of the invention may be independently and radially adjusted to not only cause a localized obstruction to increase extraction of liquid from the material in the press but also to cause such material to issue from the press in a predetermined form. As the material issues in this predetermined form it is cut by the sets of blades 33 and 34, the blades in each set being respectively and circularly displaced.

Of course, by a selective interposition of the blades 18 one may achieve a predetermined localized source of back pressure in reference to the materials worked in the press.

This may serve to cause a more effective control of the liquid extraction achieved in the press.

As far as liquid extraction, the invention embodiments are particularly useful in improving the dewatering of synthetic rubber compounds in a press such as described.

This inner end of The blades 18' accordingly include.

Not only this, it will be readily obvious that the valve blades may be selectively adjusted to achieve extrusions of the rubber compounds following the dewatering procedure, enabling a most effective formation of such compound for various results. Where cutter elements are associated as in the second described embodiment of the invention one has a very smooth operation as to achieving a dewatered synthetic rubber in a particularly sliced or reduced form.

It should be readily obvious also, referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, that where the valve blades are utilized on a press for dewatering materials in absence of cutter elements, one may, for example, by leaving all except one of the valve blades or segments fully extended and bringing the one valve segment inwardly to the collar 23, provide that material which moves thereby following a dewatering procedure, take the form of a split tubing. Similarly, one may cause the material extruded to have any selected form within the capabilities of the variously positioned adjustable valve blades, including a thread form.

It is an inherent feature of the invention that by appropriate adjustment of the respective valve blades corresponding to the particular material being worked in a press, one may achieve a required working of material while the press is operating at less than full capacity.

There is accordingly a basic sensitivity of the invention valve unit and an unusual range of control in the working of a press to which it is applied.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail con struction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is limited to the specific features show-n, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A press including a cage having an inlet thereto. means defining an outlet therefrom, rotatable shaft means mounted in said cage to have one end extend to and through said outlet, means on said shaft means within said cage operable on material delivered through said inlet to advance said material to and through said outlet and, in the process thereof, extract fluid therefrom, means on said shaft means restricting said outlet and an iris valve unit including a multiplicity of segments in connection with said cage mounted to independently, selectively and variably bridge said restricted outlet to cause press material to flow thereby in a selectively split form, said segments including petal-like valve blades disposed and relatively adjustable radially of said shaft means, said blades being circumferentially spaced apart distances suflicient to define flow passages therebetween.

2. A press as set forth in claim 1 characterized by cutters fixed for rotation with said shaft in following relation to said valve segments, said cut-ters being operative to selectively reduce the material passed by said valve segments.

3. In a press providing a cage, means for advancing material through said cage to an outlet at one end thereof, the material being expelled under pressure from said outlet, and collar means received centrally of said outlet and defining open discharge area in said outlet which is in surrounding relation to said collar means; the improvement which comprises a multiplicity of circumferentially arranged petal-like valve blades disposed transversely of said outlet to bridge said open discharge area thereof,

the inner ends of said blades extending toward said collar means and cooperating with one another and with said collar means to define in said open discharge area a circular area immediately surrounding said collar means, said blades being radially extensible toward said collar means and retractable therefrom to reduce and to expand said circular area, said blades being circumferentially spaced apart distances providing flow passages therebetween in said open area in any extended position of said blades.

4. A press according to claim 3, including means for adjusting said blades so that said blades are individually extensible and retractable as described to produce selectively a regular or irregular circular area around said collar means, or to split longitudinally the expelled material.

5. A press, including a cage having an inlet for material to be acted on and having an outlet end, a discharge ring at said outlet end and defining the outlet, rotatable shaft means longitudinally disposed in said cage to advance admitted .material to and through said outlet, said shaft means extending into said discharge ring, a collar on said shaft means in concentric spaced relation to said discharge ring and defining therewith an annular dischange area through WlhlCh the material is expelled under pressure, a multiplicity of circumferentially arranged petal-like valve blades disposed radially of said collar and extensible toward and retractable from said collar to achieve maximum and minimum bridging of said annular discharge area, said blades being circumferentially spaced apart distances to provide open flow passages therebetween in said discharge area in any extended position of said blades, and means for mounting said blades in la comm-on plane transversely of the axis of said discharge ring for sliding extending and retracting movements as described.

6. A press according to claim 5, characterized in that said blades are mounted to said cage radially outward of said annular dischange area, said discharge ring having radial slots receiving and guiding said blades.

7. A press according to claim 5, characterized in that said blades are individually extensible and retractable to achieve selectively different configurations of open discharge area at said outlet, said blades being formed radially outwardly of said discharge ring with finger pieces for sliding adjustment thereof.

8. A press according to claim 5, including means for individually adjusting said blades so that said blades are extensible to place their inner ends substantially in contact with said collar whereby to limit the expelling of material through the outlet to that permitted through said open flow passages, and are retractable from a position of maximum extension as described to define with said collar an annular flow passage immediately surrounding said collar through which material may be expelled in conjunction with flow through said flow passages.

9. A press according to claim 5, characterized in that said blades .are extensible .to a position substantially contacting said collar whereby material expelled from the outlet'is limited :to that which may pass through said flow passages, said blades being so circumferentially spaced apart as to define between adjacent blades a flow passage which at its outer portion is defined by said discharge ring and which at its inner portion is defined by said collar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 890,112 6/1908 Wheelwright l00148 1,752,054 3/1930 Anderson l00-148 1,752,222 3/1930 Anderson -148 1,838,996 12/ 1931 Lang l00148 1,871,833 8/1932 Anderson l00l49 X 1,946,001 2/ 1934 Schaul 146-190 2,425,237 8/1947 Field.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

BILLY J. WILHITE, Examiner. 

1. A PRESS INCLUDING A CAGE HAVING AN INLET THERETO, MEANS DEFINING AN OUTLET THEREFROM, ROTATABLE SHAFT MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID CAGE TO HAVE ONE END EXTEND TO AND THROUGH SAID OUTLET, MEANS ON SAID SHAFT MEANS WITHIN SAID CAGE OPERABLE ON MATERIAL DELIVERED THROUGH SAID INLET TO ADVANCE SAID MATERIAL TO AND THROUGH SAID OUTLET AND, IN THE PROCESS THEREOF, EXTRACT FLUID THEREFROM, MEANS ON SAID SHAFT MEANS RESTRICTING SAID OUTLET AND AN IRIS VALVE UNIT INCLUDING A MULTIPLICITY OF SEGMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID CAGE MOUNTED TO INDEPENDENTLY, SELECTIVELY AND VARIABLY BRIDGE SAID RESTRICTED OUTLET TO CAUSE PRESS MATERIAL TO FLOW THEREBY IN A SELECTIVELY SPLIT FORM, SAID SEGMENTS INCLUDING PETAL-LIKE VALVE BLADES DISPOSED 